The Quotation Of The Day mailing list (qotd), founded in 1990, exists for the distribution of amusing, inspirational, bizarre, or simply interesting quotations.

Friday, February 26, 2010

Quotation of the day for February 26, 2010

The Quotation Of The Day Mailing List

Quotation of the Day for February 26, 2010

"Adding together the component partial utilities, the rational herdsman concludes that the only sensible course for him to pursue is to add another animal to his herd. And another; and another.... But this is the conclusion reached by each and every rational herdsman sharing a commons. Therein is the tragedy. Each man is locked into a system that compels him to increase his herd without limit--in a world that is limited. Ruin is the destination toward which all men rush, each pursuing his own best interest in a society that believes in the freedom of the commons. Freedom in a commons brings ruin to all."

- Garrett Hardin, from The Tragedy of the Commons (1968). [http://www.garretthardinsociety.org/articles/art_tragedy_of_the_commons.html]